Miles Seaton, a founding member of the experimental group Akron/Family, has passed away at age 41.
The band’s label, Dead Oceans, broke the news via social media earlier this week. Seaton’s cause of death is yet to be disclosed.
Music and memories are so intertwined for me. Being part of Dead Oceans means so many great artists have enriched me, not just through their music, but through getting to know them as people. As family. Today we found out that we lost Miles Seaton, one-third of Akron/Family. pic.twitter.com/kPwQmJzogV
— Dead Oceans (@DeadOceans) February 19, 2021
Born in 1979, Seaton moved to New York in the early 2000s, where he met future bandmates Dana Janssen, Seth Olinsky and Ryan Vanderhoof.
The quartet of multi-instrumentalists founded Akron/Family in 2003 and quickly developed a cult following amongst New Yorkers. They released their eponymous debut record, a split LP with Angels of Light, in 2005.
Akron/Family proved prolific in the years that followed, releasing five more albums, ‘Meek Warrior’, ‘Love Is Simple’, ‘Set ‘Em Wild, Set ‘Em Free’, ‘Akron/Family II: The Cosmic Birth and Journey of Shiniju TNT’ and ‘Sub Verses’, before announcing their hiatus in 2013.
Seaton continued recording music as a solo artist, releasing three albums under the name Miles Cooper Seaton. The most recent, ‘Phases in Exile’, hit shelves in 2017.
“Miles was one of a kind person, in a one of a kind band. It’s a rush of emotions,” wrote Seaton’s friend and Dead Oceans co-founder, Phil Waldorf.
“I feel lucky that I knew Miles, and sad that I have to say goodbye. We hope you’ll share some memories. There are too many for me to count right now”.
Ryley Walker, Danish rock group Efterklang and Akron/Family touring member M. Geddes Gengras are among the other musicians to have paid tribute to Seaton online.
RIP Miles Seaton. Thank you for all music and inspiration ???https://t.co/s9x8idAEx6
— EFTERKLANG (@Efterklang) February 19, 2021
Sorry to hear about miles seaton of Akron Fam. Their records are all amazing inventions and Rube Goldberg type sound fuckery. Each head a crucial cog. Work together so well. Sorry he’s gone.
— Ryley walker (@ryleywalker) February 19, 2021
wrote this for Miles Cooper Seaton, a true artist, a brother, an incredible friend. pic.twitter.com/digrKjKuvO
— ged (@mgeddesgengras) February 19, 2021
